Holiday Mail for Heroes program under way

by jmaloni

Sat, Nov 13th 2010 12:00 pm

For a fourth year, the
American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday
cards to service members, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far
from home this holiday season. The Holiday Mail for Heroes program provides
Americans with the opportunity to send holiday greetings and a note of thanks
to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Now through Dec. 10, the
public is invited to send a "touch of home" through holiday cards that contain
messages of cheer and appreciation. The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes will then
screen cards for hazardous materials, sort and package the cards, and deliver
them to military bases and hospitals, veteran's hospitals and other locations
during the holidays. Pitney Bowes is providing all screening, packaging and
shipping at no charge. The Red Cross will utilize hundreds of volunteers to
sort and box cards for delivery to service men and women, veterans and family
members in November and December.

"Sending a greeting card is
a small effort that makes a big impact for our American heroes during the
holiday season," said Maureen Siekierski, executive director of the Niagara
County American Red Cross. "The American Red Cross serves and supports members
of the military, veterans, and their families by providing emergency
communications, comfort and assistance each day. The Holiday Mail for Heroes
program continues the Red Cross tradition of service to the armed forces."

Last year, with the help of
Pitney Bowes, hundreds of volunteers screened, sorted and packaged cards that
were delivered to military bases, veterans and military hospitals across the
U.S. and around the world. In Niagara County, several members of the American
Red Cross Club of Lockport High School sorted and distributed 2,963 holiday
cards

"Few can truly understand
the tremendous sacrifice that our military personnel and their families make
every single day on the nation's behalf," said Vicki O'Meara, senior vice
president and president of Pitney Bowes management services and government and
regulatory affairs. "Now more than ever, it is important for all Americans to
seize the opportunity to say ‘thank you.' We are thrilled to join with the
American Red Cross to help make that happen."

Be sure to affix adequate
postage. Cards must be received no later than Friday, Dec. 10. Cards received
after this date will be returned to senders. For reasons of processing and
safety, participants are asked to refrain from sending "care packages,"
monetary gifts, using glitter or including any inserts with the cards.